Cable expects Roethlisberger

News, notes and quotes from the Raiders open locker room and Tom Cable’s post-walkthrough press briefing:

– On a weekly television appearance on a local Sunday night postgame show, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha talked about having to prepare for two quarterbacks for this week’s game in Pittsburgh against the Steelers.

Raiders coach Tom Cable seemed to have little doubt as to which one will be the starter.

“All indications are Ben (Roethlisberger) will be back,” Cable said.

The Steelers, who lost overtime games to Kansas City and Balitmore over the past two weeks, turned to San Leandro High School and Oregon product Dennis Dixon against Baltimore. Dixon started the season as the No. 3 quarterback and was elevated to No. 2 when Charlie Batch was lost fo rthe season to a wrist injury.

When it was determined Roethlisberger had not sufficiently recovered from concussion symptoms sustained against the Chiefs, Dixon played against Balitmore and his 24-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter had the Steelers in position to win.

However, the Pittsburgh defense allowed the Ravens to drive for the tie at regulation, and Dixon’s overtime interception to rookie Paul Kruger against a zone blitz set up Baltimore’s winning field goal.

– Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski talked glowingly about returning to Pittsburgh, noting it was the third time he had started in his home town. Gradkowski was a star quarterback at Seton-La Salle High School in the city and his father is a longtime employee in the business department of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“It’s always exciting getting back to Pittsburgh,” Gradkowski said. “My whole family’s from Pittsburgh and grew up watching the Steelers.”

Gradkowski remembers going to games at Three Rivers Stadium and said his family and friends could number 100, although fortunately he’s not entrusted with the ticket details.

“They already told me, `Hey, don’t worry about it, we’ll find our own tickets,’ ” Gradkowski said. “That’s good they know I am thinking about a lot of things, that I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.”

Foremost among them is having some success in Pittsburgh beyond the glory days of high school.

Gradkowski started the season finale for Cleveland last season in Pittsburgh, and had a start as a rookie in 2007 with Tampa Bay. In the two games, Gradkowski was 25-for-50 for 193 yards, no touchdowns, five interceptions and was sacked eight times. His Heinz Field quarterback rating is 20.3 and his teams lost by a combined 51-3.

– If finally getting into the end zone is a relief for Darrius Heyward-Bey, he wasn’t showing it.

“Tell you the truth, I really haven’t looked at it that way,” Heyward-Bey said. “It’s like, a touchdown was what we needed at the time, and now if I can help out the team more, it’ll be great.”

Cable said Monday the Raiders were very close to connecting on plays which could have gone for big yardage and sustained drives. Toward that end, following a walkthrough, quarterbacks, receivers and running backs were still on the field, working on their timing.

“We’re an inch away from being a good passing offense,” Heyward-Bey said. “We understand that. We wish we weren’t an inch away. We wish we were hitting those. It’s positive. It’s a good thing to look at. Going into these last five games, we hope we just hit those big plays and go into the offseason with a good feeling.”

– With Trevor Scott starting at weak side linebacker, it meant fewer snaps for Thomas Howard, although Howard did get some work on the strong side and on the weak side when Scott was rushing the passer.

Cable, however, did not dispel the notion that Howard’s game could use some work.

“I think you always try to do what gives you a good chance to succeed, so if you want to improve an area you make a move like we did, and certainly Trevor was able to go in and back it up,” Cable said.

In 2007, Howard had a breakout year with six interceptions, including touchdown returns of 44 and 66 yards. In his last 29 games, Howard has one interception and both he and Kirk Morrison have occasionally had problems disengaging from blockers against the run.

– Gary Russell, the fullback who returned one kickoff 17 yards against Dallas and appeared to almost go down voluntarily when he hit a wall, will get another crack at it against his former team, Cable said. Russell scored the first touchdown of the Steelers Super Bowl win over Arizona on a 1-yard run.

– Cable said defensive end Greg Ellis, who left the Dallas game with knee swelling, and running back Justin Fargas, who has a stinger, are questionable to face Pittsburgh.

Cable said the short week, combined with playing on artificial surface probably took its toll on Ellis.

– JaMarcus Russell has not been available to the media since losing his job to Gradkowski. As for how Russell is faring in his new role, Cable said, “I don’t really see any change whatsoever. He’s working, doing what he’s asked to do. He’s preparing like normal. So I wouldn’t say there was any change or anything I’ve noticed.”

– Nick Miller update _ getting out of a protective boot this week, Raiders will attempt to determine if it’s realistic to get him rehabbed fast enough so he can be of some service this season.

Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer

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yeah pete since your obviously not very intelligent let me simplify it for you. kirk morrison does not fit at m-i-d-d-l-e linebacker but he is still one of the best l-i-n-e-b-a-c-k-e-r-s in general. if you cant comprehend what im saying you probably need to stay out of it

jamesfaw

i cant believe you think we need to get rid of him or maybe the problem is your not thinking

http://www.Move2Alameda.com KoolKell

Davis has done many good deeds in his life. He has, for instance, offered financial assistance to former and current players, ailing former coaches and even journalists. And he has kept those gestures quiet. He was also the first NFL owner to hire a Hispanic and a black as head coach. But Davis’s abuses of power have become increasingly visible. For example, after practice it is customary for him to enter the equipment room, drop a towel on the floor and wait for an employee to clean his shoes. “I saw him make someone wipe his shoes in front of 75 people,” says Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who coached the Raiders in 1988 and was fired four games into the ’89 season.

S.I. 1996
——————————–
This has got to be Blackholepriest.

jhill

Morrison is N-O-T a good LB. Your argument is flawed if you are suggesting he is not good at the position he plays, but he is one of the best in the league.

LMFAO!

He’s so good, that he needs to switch positions?

Morrison on the outside would be a HILARIOUS! Have you seen him in coverage? Have you seem him one on one is space?

CMON! Morrison has been in the middle of our bad run defense for years. Over running plays, missing tackles, not shedding blocks.

He’s terrible.

And whether you whine about the Raiders, or other posters, it’s still whining.

DaRayduh

jamesfaw, for a 22 yr old, you sho is cocky.

You sure you aint preese or crimedog? how bout 16/16?

jhill

Like the great John Wooden said …

Never confuse activity for achievement!

Fargas should NOT be starting!

jamesfaw

koolkell let me tell you a little something about al davis. he coached the raiders to their first winning season. he has 3 super bowl wins under his belt. he is the head of the winningest franchise in the nfl. like i need to mention it the raiders have a 25-18 playoff record and they probably got cheated out of a few super bowls. id have my employees washing my shoes and my a$$

jamesfaw

yeah ive seen kirk morrison in pass defense. in 07 he picked 4 balls. maybe you just forgot about that season

jamesfaw

you obviously still dont get it pete. did you make it through grade school. mlb is the toughest linebacker position so what im saying is maybe morrison would be better suited as a weak or strong side linebacker. al davis wants a team that is strong against the pass on defense with a vertical passing offense. why dont you take some time to go to raiders.com and study up on the history of the raiders

jhill

4 picks?????

In ’07 ?????

Is that what makes you think he can play OLB?

Well let’s talk about ’09, lol. You do realize he was being fazed out by the “super talented” Ricky Brown, right?

It was Brown and Howard on the field in Nickel situations. Any thoughts on that?

jhill

Morrison will be off the team next year. Trevor Scott and WILL, Ricky Brown at MIKE, and Thomas Howard at SLB.

http://none The Real MaddenRaider

LOL. You think it was priest who shined Al’s shoes, Kell? I really think it was John Herrera. Who else that has ever worked for Al would do it?

jamesfaw

all these poorly educated so called raider fans are just upset because your not al davis. he shines. you boys dont shine. you can hate all you want on al davis but you will never be him

islandraider

This looks like fun.

Love or don’t love Al Davis, dropping a towel for someone to shine your shoes does not garner you respect. If anything, it creates dissencion (sp?). To bad he’s hell-bent on flushing all the good things he has done down the toilet. And I could never say his good deeds outweigh his not so good deeds. So he can flush his own self down the toilet for all I care. And if you think he is so supreme, why don’t you jump in the toilet with him to keep him company.

jhill

ive actually got a retard in my office interpreting for me

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Hmmmm …

So you’re 22 years old, have an office, and a retarded interpreter reporting to you.

LMFAO!

jhill

Why are you still at work? And why are you forcing the retarded person to stay late with you?

jamesfaw

lets see islandraider al davis became coach of the raiders in 1960 and they were competitive from 1960 to 2003. i think 40 plus good years outweighs 7 bad years.

jhill

take a picture. $hit….lick the screen.

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James asked you to interpret for him, not to post for him. Get up, and let Mr Faw get back in here and tell us more about how great Fargas and Morrison are.

jamesfaw

jhill first off dont be hating on me because im 22 and i got a job ( in an office ) second dont be hating because i got a retarded interpreter in my office. hes my boy. we are like peas and carrots

jamesfaw

i would die for that boy.

http://none The Real MaddenRaider

Sean Payton’s going all Bill Belichick and running up the score. There’s a new sheriff in town.

jamesfaw

the raiders only have 1 problem. our receivers dropping balls. forget the defense. i can throw a ball faster then you can run it. you know what i mean ?

jamesfaw

you know what. im fixing to get off here but i want you guys to know that i love you. all of you.

islandraider

They became average in 1994 and with the exception of 2001, 02, 03, its been a slow decline. And that is quite sad. And don’t forget the amount of baggage left littered along the way. (1960-1963 they were combined 9-33) 408/332/11 combined over-all 1960 to present.

http://none The Real MaddenRaider

It’s a westside slaughterhouse in N.O.

jhill

You’re killin’ me, James!

You would die for “that boy”?

You mean the guy who you just demeaned in print for the whole world to see?

You do realize “retard” is not a term of endearment, right? LOL!

Is bringing “your boy” in to deal with the unintelligent, poorly educated, chumps more peas or carrots?

http://none The Real MaddenRaider

I think somebody exchanged Bob’s n or cos with L S D.

http://none The Real MaddenRaider

Saints are throwing for the end zone, up 38-17 with 5 minutes left. Bet you the press is critical of it, even though they never cared all of the times Belichick ran it up.

As for how Russell is faring in his new role, Cable said, “I don’t really see any change whatsoever. He’s working, doing what he’s asked to do. He’s preparing like normal. So I wouldn’t say there was any change or anything I’ve noticed.”
======================================================
In other words, he’s still spilling nachos cheese on his notebook.

islandraider

jamesfaw Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
the raiders only have 1 problem. our receivers dropping balls. forget the defense. i can throw a ball faster then you can run it. you know what i mean ?
====================================================
jamesfaw Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
you know what. im fixing to get off here but i want you guys to know that i love you. all of you.
===================================================
This team is depressing. Get back in here and humor us with some of your bullsheet. That’s some funny sheet.

islandraider

Cable said Monday the Raiders were very close to connecting on plays which could have gone for big yardage and sustained drives. Toward that end, following a walkthrough, quarterbacks, receivers and running backs were still on the field, working on their timing.
==================================================
You know, stuff we should have figured out in pre-season.

islandraider

The SI article is very evident of whats happening in Oakland. Kind of like the foundation this team rests on.

jhill

“I don’t really see any change whatsoever. He’s working, doing what he’s asked to do. He’s preparing like normal. So I wouldn’t say there was any change or anything I’ve noticed.”

——————————————————-

Man, you guys are sharks in the water with this Russell kid.

So the issue is he shouldn’t be working?

He shouldn’t be doing what he’s asked to do?

He shouldn’t be preparing like normal?

LMFAO!

islandraider

jhill Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
“I don’t really see any change whatsoever. He’s working, doing what he’s asked to do. He’s preparing like normal. So I wouldn’t say there was any change or anything I’ve noticed.”

——————————————————-

Man, you guys are sharks in the water with this Russell kid.

So the issue is he shouldn’t be working?

He shouldn’t be doing what he’s asked to do?

He shouldn’t be preparing like normal?

LMFAO!
====================================================
Problem is, nothing is normal in Oakland. If they expect to compete, they’ve got to go beyond normal. Cable was clear in his remarks. What he wanted to say was: Since Russell was benched, he’s gone into hyper-drive over-time to get better. He hasn’t left the campus. He working, studying, preparing 24/7 because he knows that is what the Raiders are going to need from him.
But Cable didn’t say that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw Raider75

# jhill Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 8:57 pm

“I don’t really see any change whatsoever. He’s working, doing what he’s asked to do. He’s preparing like normal. So I wouldn’t say there was any change or anything I’ve noticed.”

——————————————————-

Man, you guys are sharks in the water with this Russell kid.

So the issue is he shouldn’t be working?

He shouldn’t be doing what he’s asked to do?

He shouldn’t be preparing like normal?

LMFAO!
…………

You have to read between the lines.

No changes = no improvement

Doing what he’s asked to do = He’s only doing the minimal amount of work.

He’s preparing like normal = Still doing the same crap that got him benched

So I wouldn’t say there was any change or anything I’ve noticed. = He still sucks and if he has put in extra work, I haven’t noticed it. He certainly hasn’t done anything to change the fact that Gradkowski is my starter.

You need to learn Media-Speak

http://www.Move2Alameda.com KoolKell

New post up

NorthernD

JHill,
Clearly he hasn’t been working hard enough. If he was successful in the past, then keep on doing what works, but he hasn’t been successful. He has been awful. Putting in the “regular” hours is simply not good enough. Other players in the league realize there is a limited window of opportunity in the NFL, JaMarcus hasn’t realized that yet.
Gradkowski is working hard because he knows this is it for him. He either works hard and makes something of this chance to start, or else he will be stuck as a lifetime back-up.
JaMarcus is on a sinking ship. Working with a sense of urgency should be required.

k. morrison is the heart and soul of this defense. he is what tito was to michael jackson. he is what luigi was to mario. he is what banana is to pudding ( dont forget the vanilla wafers ). the raiders are on their way to the top. keep some optimism. we can still go 8-8 for the year. im with seymour baby. raiders are going to the playoffs. yeah are you feeling it ?! are you feeling it now ?! whooo!!! we can do it. get energized !!!!! even my retarded buddy is energized. WERE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

“we are inches away from having a great passing game”…we are also inches away from being undefeated, being winless, and hitting the lottery. The inches away excuse is pathetic when you look at the numer of wins this team has…fffff

Nnamdi21

“Cable said, “I don’t really see any change whatsoever. ”

+=====================

Meaning Russell’s still being a lazy f*ck.

Kirk Morrison SUCKS!!!

Moving Thomas Howard to Strong side is f**king stupid!!!

Howard has been one of our better D players at Weak side and moving him showed against Dallas. We got creamed.